About this project

Out of My Hand is a narrative feature film about a struggling Liberian rubber plantation worker, Cisco, who risks family and home to discover a new life as a Yellow Cab driver in New York City.

In the Liberian countryside, Cisco works in a rubber plantation when his life is disrupted by a Workers Strike. Risking everything to embark on a new life, he accepts a chance invitation to New York, where he immerses himself in its small Liberian community. But when Cisco meets two Liberians from vastly disparate worlds than his own: one, a former Liberian child solder and the other, a wealthy businessman, he’s forced to confront his own sense of self and of belonging.

This film is the second narrative feature film by a foreign production ever shot in Liberia, and the first to be made in association with Liberian Movie Union, an affiliate of the Liberia government.

With overwhelming support from the Movie Union, the film community in Liberia, and the Liberian people, 70% of the film's principal photography was completed in Spring, 2013. The project is currently seeking funds to complete production in New York, where we'll need about ten days of shooting to finish principal photography. The Liberian government and its Movie Union has sponsored our shoot, and has generously offered to pay for travel for its Liberian cast and crew for the New York City portion of production.

What are we going to use the money for?

Your donations will help us complete Pre-Production and Production in New York City for the 2nd Unit portion of our production. These will cover: Crew Labor
- Cast Labor
- Equipment Rental
- Location Fee
- Catering
- Set Decoration
- Wardrobe - And Other Production-Related Expenses.

Support this movie and Liberia:

This project's gone beyond the makings of just another independent movie. It's also in line with a movement in Liberia to grow and expand its arts communities, one that has immense possibilities to bring positive influence to the country, to its movie industry, and to its aspiring filmmakers.

In the past, nearly all movies made in Liberia have been about, or heavily related to, the Liberian Civil War.

While of course we fully support and recognize the great value of shedding light on that chapter of the country's history, we're also proud that this movie’s story focuses not on the war, but on a common man and his story, human, simple, and relatable. In espousing such a regard on the country, we hope to help cast sorely needed positive perspective on the country of Liberia, and on its people.

We've also pledged a percentage of all profits of our film to the Liberian Movie Union as a reflection of our appreciation and gratitude, both to our supporters in the country and to its developing movie industry.

Cast:

All of the cast members in Liberia are native to, and live in, the country. This is, for the majority of them, the first film, if not the first feature film, that they have been involved in. We consider ourselves very fortunate to have found such an extraordinarily talented cast in Liberia.

There are of course few opportunities for actors to practice their craft in the country of Liberia, due to its small, but resiliently passionate film community. Our hope is that this film will shine light on them, and hopefully contribute in whatever small way to bringing still greater opportunities for them to do what they love.

Bishop (on the right) as main character, Cisco & Duke (On the left) as Francis

We
have the special pleasure of gifting one-of-a-kind paintings made by
prominent artist Steven Cogle. Cogle was thoroughly inspired and moved by this film and made these paintings especially to support the project. Cogle's paintings are often priced well above this amount. We hope you'll love them in
your home, and remember how much you've done for our project, when you see them
on your wall! There are only two paintings, so this reward is limited to the
first two takers. Thank you!

Director of Photography, Ryo Murakami (1979 - 2013)

We were heartbroken to lose our cinematographer and the inspiration for this project, Ryo Murakami, shortly after our return from Liberia in June, 2013. We invite all who loved him and his work, and all who are now just discovering it, to visit ryomurakami.com, where you'll find all available resources to help stay connected to Ryo and to his ongoing legacy.

Ryo's documentary film, "In the Dark" (Working Title) which planted the original seed for this project, remains unreleased to date. However, a plan for his film to be brought to completion will be carried out in the near future.

Risks and challenges

Production's biggest challenge is its timeline, both ambitious and achievable. We have our Liberia-based cast and crew slated for arrival in New York City in late June (an epic in and of itself), and need to ensure all primary production details are locked down prior to. This process involves the issuance of visas and all related bureaucratic/customs procedures for upwards of twelve Liberian nationals, most of whom have never left Liberia, let alone the continent of Africa.

Because Kickstarter is an "All or Nothing" platform, our upcoming production weighs heavily on the success of our campaign. We'll be doing everything we can to reach people who might believe in the value of this project as we do, and do our best to encourage their participation, involvement and support.

FAQ

Rewards

You selected

Pledge $1 or more

10 backers

Even a dollar makes a difference, and we'd be so happy for your participation in this fund-raiser. Aside from our very sincere gratitude, we'll be very happy to give you a Twitter shoutout as well as include you on our mailing list for exclusive updates on this project.

Estimated delivery:May 2014

You selected

Pledge $10 or more

17 backers

In addition to our very sincere appreciation and Twitter shoutout, we'll also happily send you a PDF of the project's Original Screenplay, so you can get an inside look at our story and the movie to come.

Estimated delivery:Sep 2014

You selected

Pledge $30 or more

58 backers

At a $30 pledge level, you'll receive a Twitter shoutout, a PDF of the script, and a Digital download of the final Film for your viewing pleasure! Your name will also be listed on the movie's official website as "Backer"!

Estimated delivery:May 2015

You selected

Pledge $50 or more

58 backers

For a pledge $50 to our project, we're happy to offer you all of the above, AND a DVD of the completed film for your home collection!

Estimated delivery:May 2015

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $150 or more

19 backers

Even more and many thanks to those who might off and donate $150. You will receive all of the above, and also throw in two exclusive 8'x10' High quality stills of the movie. We like to consider these images as priceless; they personalize the journey that this film has taken, and are reserved for our supporters.

Estimated delivery:May 2015

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $250 or more

15 backers

For an amazing pledge of $250, we will offer you a very special poster of the movie, as well as all else above. In addition, we'll include you in the Closing Credits of the film's credit roll, under our reserved "Special Thanks" section!

Estimated delivery:May 2015

You selected

Pledge $500 or more

9 backers
Limited (1 left of 10)

For your believing in our film and your making this campaign a success, we want to offer you all of the above perks, but would be proud to place your credit in the "Key Support" section of our film's closing Credit Roll!

Estimated delivery:May 2015

You selected

Pledge $1,000 or more

5 backers
Limited (5 left of 10)

We're floored by anyone who'd make such an incredible contribution to our project. We want to hang out with you! With your pledge of $1,000, we want to invite you (+1) to join us at the NYC premiere of the completed Out of My Hand film. Also we want to offer all of above and a "Key Support" credit. Thank you!

Estimated delivery:Mar 2015

You selected

Pledge $3,000 or more

1 backer
Limited (1 left of 2)

We couldn't possibly thank anyone enough for believing in us this much. For contributing $3,000, you'll of course receive all the goodies above, as well as two tickets to the NYC premiere. What's more, for our $3,000 contributors, we have the special pleasure of gifting one-of-a-kind paintings made by Steven Cogle. Cogle's paintings are often priced well above this amount, and these particular paintings have been inspired by and made especially for this film. There are only two paintings, so this reward is limited to the first two takers. Thank you!

Estimated delivery:May 2015

Ships anywhere in the world

You selected

Pledge $5,000 or more

2 backers
Limited (4 left of 6)

This is a whole other level of involvement. We could never thank you enough. You are helping to make this project a reality, in the truest of senses. To show our appreciation and our sincere gratitude, we'll invite you to a private screening, and give you all of the above (excepting the limited supply Steven Cogle painting), as well as an Associate Producer credit for our film! This credit will show up in the film's final Credits and all related literatures/forums related to the film, including IMDb and media-related platforms. Thank you!

Estimated delivery:May 2015

You selected

Pledge $10,000

0 backers
Limited (3 left of 3)

There are simply no words for any person who would make the incredible leap and contribute $10,000 to our endeavor. Thank you for believing in us so much, and for making this production possible! For a pledge of $10,000, first of all, our eternal gratitude, respect, and never-ending thanks. We want to make you a Executive Producer of the film. What does that mean? It means you get ALL of the above (excepting the limited-supply painting) and you get to spend a day on set with the cast and crew making magic happen. Your Executive Producer credit will show up in the film's final Credits and all related literatures/forums related to the film, including IMDb and media-related platforms, and you'll be intimately all developed in all the film's developments to come. We'll never enough be able to say thank you!